Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 15 Entries. Tuesday, March 3 View Page And so, another year brings many possibilities. So far, we have had above average snowfall accumulation, with more expected. April can�t arrive soon enough! This is a picture of my garden plot, it is 50� x 30�. This weekend I plan on adding the gate and T posts/chicken wire to finish the fencing. Subtracting paths and working room, I will have one 500sq ft plot dedicated to the AG, and another 500 sq ft for Spring/Summer vegetables. Tuesday, March 3 View Page Using the online vegetable planner (Mother Earth offers a free unlocked trial for 3 months!) I was able to calculate how much irrigation supplies I needed and determine my proposed layout. It also let me see my total square footage of growing surface, which is 1,000 square foot. That makes ammending the soil easy as everything is recommended per 1,000 sq ft. Drip irrigation is in the mail! Tuesday, March 3 View Page This is the result of my soil test performed late January. Remember, around this time in 2014 I tilled up this patch which was covered in bermuda grass. I then spread 13 cu ft of black cured compost on top, tilled it in again, and covered the entire plot with black plastic visqueen tarp to stop the re-growth of the grass and let the plot age. Tuesday, March 3 View Page Google Maps view of my 2 acre homestead. You can see the Master plot near the house, as well as a perennial bed close to the back porch. Towards the south fence is a 10' x 10' plot I plan on growing sweet corn in. In the front, two decrative plots for flowers. Monday, March 23 View Page I soaked for 8 hrs, and planted 1 each of the EST971 McCrackin 14', and the 1389 McCracken 14'. These seeds were given to me by PumpkinJesus and grown last year, you can check out the diary here: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2014&grower=44638&action=L The EST971 was a fast growing pumpkin and split before finishing, while the 1389 McCrackin was a steady gainer. I am torn decidng which to use, so I will let each seed show me who's better. Since I face a smaller growing window and am less experienced, the faster grower may help me yield more in the end. Or it may crack too! This is a hard choice. Wednesday, April 15 View Page My test germination stumbled, so I aborted. You can find the issue here: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=14&p=538539 Wednesday, April 15 View Page Dan (Claremoron) was very generous to send me one of his 1738 Barron 2014 that he recieved from Don Barron. Since I pushed my tester too fast, I have started this seed in hopes of being my successful one and only AG plant this year. This time, Miracle Grow Seed Starter soil, one tablespoon of Mycoz, and 85 degrees incubation. I filed the edges, soaked for two hours and placed it into my 1 quart stage 1 pot. 3 days was all it took! A HUGE thanks to Dan for sharing these genetics with me! Friday, April 17 View Page By far the biggest cotyledons I've ever had on a AG sprout. Seedling looks very healthy and strong. Monday, April 20 View Page Look at those cotyledons!! Huge! First true leaf has slight curling, 200ppm still too much for it. I flushed out with distilled last night, will revert back to once a week liquid fert or as needed based upon leaf coloration. I plan on transferring into a 2 gallon pot today, forecasting planting in the patch in 2 weeks. You never know with Arkansas weather, we had half dollar sized hail last night. Thursday, April 23 View Page Continueing to progress. Slightly yellowing of 2nd true leaf edges, so I dosed 250ppm and some Neptunes Fish and Kelp. I have to be aware of the difference in coloration between just a brand new leaf, and a hungry plant. By far the biggest sprout I've ever seen. Monday, April 27 View Page We have lows projected into the high 40's this week. I am itching to get this guy into the ground, but want to wait for this last cold wave to pass. I was away hunting/fishing this weekend and things got slightly dry, but no harm appears to have occured. I also wanted to wait to ensure the vining direction, true to form it seems to be headed opposite of the first true leaf. I will tranplant into the patch this weekend. Saturday, May 2 View Page Saturday May 2nd and Barron has hit the ground. I finished my second ammendment (Potassium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, more Kelp meal, slow release Blood Meal, Azos/Mycoz locally at stump in a 6 foot diameter) and laid down the irrigation for the patch plot. I had a slight accident while cutting the pot away from the "sprout" (it had really overgrown the 12 inch pot, and started to lean needing support), using a carpentor knife I was on the upstroke and while trying to finish the cut at the upper rim the blade slipped out and I put a 2 inch gash, vertically along the direction of the vine into the stem. I about had a heart attack. Slow down, take your time, be careful, don't rush it. I ended up cutting off the first two true leaves and the cotelydons, and burying the entire root ball/stem all the way up to the next set of exposed leaves. I also slanted the angle to ensure vining continues in the direction I want it. Saturday, May 2 View Page Spring garden doing alright. Leafy greens really puttin on, we can't keep up. You can see my little pumpkin runnin around, I love having all this open green space for her to grow up in. I harvested one round of broccoli, I will clip off some secondary shoots for salads and then start to tear down and replace with Summer crops. I can't seem to ever get a head of cauliflower, or red cabbage. I didnt follow up with any Nitrogen this year, I was just too busy. Tuesday, May 12 View Page Just over a week in the ground, and I've gotten things to lay down with a little help. I applied a weak dose of Systemic insecticide, and shot of Neptunes Fish and Kelp, soaking the root base. The plant showed signs of hunger, a light yellowing hue, apparently the roots have'nt reach the bottom of the inital hole I dug, after which I put some granular fertilizer. I top applied one tablespoon of granular fertilizer Sunday night 6 inches from the base, and things have already returned to strong color. The mycoz must be really kicking in, I can see roots breaching the soil surface in a 5 foot diameter around the stump. Wednesday, May 13 View Page I visited the vine today, and lo and behold what do I see? A vine borer moth perched on my pumpkin leaf! That means at LEAST 4 waves of SVB here in Arkansas. I will need to apply a contact insecticide this weekend, and rotate the systemic and contact every week or two.